armando93223
1318984112
Posted 1402153143
Reply with quote #1
My success rate has increased, the Gnats got 100pct of my last batch. I have now started to use ziploc bags over the top and bottom of the 1gal pots. To cut down on the mold, I used a thin needle and poked holes all over the top bag. This helped it get some air.......So after rooting them I skipped the cup stage and put them in 1 gallon pots with ziploc bags to protect from gnats and give it some humidity.
Quackmaster
1370361410
Posted 1402154474
Reply with quote #2
Last season I had a bad gnat problem but this season I didn't loose any to gnats, as a matter of fact out of all the varieties I rooted the only ones I lost was maltese falcon and I'm still trying to figure out what went wrong, I guess too much water. Last season I used miracle grow potting soil and this season I used a mix from the local nursery called Bacto and I didn't even see a gnat. The Miracle grow potting mix must come already infested.
Ryan Zone 9a SeLa, wish list:
armando93223
1318984112
Posted 1402155787
Reply with quote #3
Great to hear Ryan, I microwave my potting mix before using. That got me off to a great start. Yeah Ryan, I lost some good ones Abbererias, Impr. Celeste, Angelo's Dark,Brooklyn White, Yellow Portugese.....my new plan is to mix it up a bit and root some and graft some, to split up my chances.
brianm
1389664758
Posted 1402157013
Reply with quote #4
Don't get me started with the gnats! It's been awful this year and almost impossible to get rid of them. I am doing a method like yours Armando except i tie the bag around the rim of the pot. I leave them alone for a few weeks then start the prices off giving air to the foliage. I am going straight into one gallons from healthy rooted cuttings. Pretty good success rate.
jdsfrance
1376988473
Posted 1402172111
Reply with quote #5
Hi Armando93223,
JustFigs
1361862934
Posted 1402185092
Reply with quote #6
Hi Armando. I got zero gnats last season using sphagnum moss and perlite. You could use promix also. Any of those are sterile media. You won't get gnats. Using that plastic over the pots works good for a while but I always eventually get mold issues. I wonder if it is easier just to mist to dam cuts daily but leave them open to increase aeration eliminating mold? Trying the root riot again recently. I think it is a good way to get them started but controlling root rot after potting them up is the question? I am going to try moving them into tall cups of perlite under fluorescent lighting till they get well rooted before putting them into potting mix. I am also trying some in just straight perlite the same way without using root cubes. Hoping the lighting speeds up development so there is less time between to screw them up. I am going to try one of these Mini Greenhouse set ups with cuts scored and dipped in clonex first. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AKKU71M/ref=pe_385040_30332190_TE_M3T1_ST1_dp_1
tylerj
1347291507
Posted 1402186068
Reply with quote #7
Knee high nylons surrounding the pot.... twist tied around the cutting at the base...... 100% gnat free. Everyone must try this. :)
rafaelissimmo
1335639347
Posted 1402189937
Reply with quote #8
Way to go Armando. I have to agree with Justfigs about the sterile media. I posted this topic showing nice roots, I have never seen a gnat in my life.
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/solid-root-growth-success-6928074?pid=1283041226
Attached Images image.jpg (124.35 KB, 30 views)
blueboy1977
1375760370
Posted 1402209005
Reply with quote #9
Seems to me that the gnat problems I had were 2 fold. They really seem to explode in the early spring as I believe that's when they do there mating thing. Too much water in a pot with cooler temps induce rot and the gnats show up to feast. I had gnats in all my outside pots by the millions in every pot that had mulch. The bottom layer of mulch was infested with gnat larva eating the decaying mulch. Once again this was only in the spring! By mid May I didn't see any gnats at all and still haven't to this point. Haven't lost a cutting to them either since April. After my experience this past spring I will never start cuttings again until at least May in my area. I had 80% success rate outdoors last fall rooting with cups of Sphagnum Peat Moss in the shade and over watered the crap out of them with no sign of a gnat. The only ones I lost were Enola3 and they just never calloused to form roots. I believe they were just too dried out when I received them.
armando93223
1318984112
Posted 1402246593
Reply with quote #10
JDFRANCE: I am still rooting inside my home, It looks like I am starting to get some success, with the microwaving the mix and covering with a bag. This has lessen the gnat problem. GIACOMO: You are the expert, yea I still with a little bit of mold to. TylerJ: I am from California, but I don't have any Nylons....LOL With the Heat being over 100degrees may think about wearing my Mom's Flowered Dress...LOL Rafaelissimmo: Thanks for the Info. Rob: I am going to avoid rooting in the winter, may skip spring to, Thanks !!!!
JustFigs
1361862934
Posted 1402270973
Reply with quote #11
Armando if you mean expert in killing cuttings then yes my friend I am a pioneer and leader in the field :-)
armando93223
1318984112
Posted 1402273607
Reply with quote #12
Well Giacomo if you are killing them and I am killing them, then who is selling them on Ebay....LOL
Hershell
1396922438
Posted 1402274274
Reply with quote #13
I know who is buying them. I'm boing broke on this hobby so far. But enjoying it as well.
HarveyC
1212433117
Posted 1402278292
Reply with quote #14
I've sold a few :)
Harvey - Correia Farms
http://www.figaholics.com https://www.facebook.com/Figaholics
Hershell
1396922438
Posted 1402449840
Reply with quote #15
Thanks Harvey, I know it's a hard job but someone has to do it. Your trees are doing great for me.
armando93223
1318984112
Posted 1403832032
Reply with quote #16
Update: Photo of Celeste....Looks like I am finally starting to have success. The Gnat problem is disappearing. Hanging Fly strips by the windows has helped. Also keeping the windows and doors closed. Now I have been looking on Ebay for some cuttings.
